Student section

Today has to be the last draw. Senior Day, 50 degrees, sunny, Big Ten hopes on the line and you still can't show up? Come on, Denard, Roy, Roh, Floyd, Bill Will, Kovacs and all the rest deserved to be honored by a packed stadium. Really embarrassing. Time for Brandon to take away sections for real fans. The students have proven they don't deserve additional seats..

this is not just a Michigan thing or a football thing. I read an article about 7-8 months ago that Duke was having issues wtih student attendance at basketball games. So it appears to be a generational thing.

Student attendance at men’s basketball games has fallen consistently over the last five years, even dropping after Duke won its fourth national championship in 2010. This season, approximately 650 undergraduates have attended each game, 150 fewer than during the 2008-09 season. As a result, Duke Athletics has begun to sell an increasing number of general admission tickets in the student section on a regular basis.

Real fans show up. And cheer on their team. There are people of all ages & abilities across the stadium. Do I prefer to stand as I did from 2002-2006? Yes. But I'm not not going to be rude and block the 60-some year old lady behind me. (Who, BTW, WILL stand on 3rd & 4th downs and who is always asking for more cowbell ... That my husband brings into the stadium.) just because not someone can't stand for three hours does not make them less of a fan.

...3 years of membership and 1 post...I can sense your passion here, and I totally agree with you. In section 34, nobody stands until key moments, but I can tell you I'm a true fan like most others in the stadium. I did my time in the student section 1997-2000, standing every second of every game. Mgobluegirl and I take offense to the allegation!

I don't get what was bad about shaking keys. You do realize the vast majority of noise in the stadium is coming from voices and not hands clapping right? Screaming and shaking keys are hardly mutually exclusive. Shaking keys probably makes as much noise as clapping, and either way I'm sure the difference between them is completely insignificant.

I think largest population which buys tickets but doesn't attend games is freshman and as students get older they realize it's a waste of money if they're not going to games or selling the tickets. They're often advised to get tickets for that aspect of the college experience but as students get older the ones who buy the tickets are more likely to actually use them. That's just my observation.

I thought those HAIL points were supposed to help this all out? All I know is that I've been able to sit in the student section for ONE game in my life, and about 1/2 way through the second quarter, a group of drunk girls showed up and starting complaining that we were in their seats and that they were going to get the ushers if we didn't move. We ended up having to go back 20 rows to find some space and missed probably 5 minutes of gametime. Partially ruined the day for me. Perhaps they should CLOSE the gates and DISALLOW entry to those not in their seats by the middle of the first?

I got the impression that probably 1/4 of the students in the student section didn't really even care to be there or watch football, judging by the number of cell phones out during 3rd downs, groups of girls gossiping to one another, and general ignorance of the sport. Plus, the game I went to, we were up 21 by the mid-second, and students started to leave... probably 15% left at halftime!

Can really complain that you got kicked out of your seats by people who legitimately held the rights to those seats? Its unfortunate that you had to move and I realize very few people in the student section are in their proper seats, but in reality those are their rightful seats.

It was no more than 50 percent when the seniors were honored. This wasn't a function of people shuffling down to the lower seats. I realize it would involve getting there 20 minutes before kick off, but WTF?

The reward should be that if you show up on time every game, you get much better tickets the next year. If you miss games or are late, you get much worse tickets. Simple! Put all the no-shows in the back of the endzone, at least 50 rows up. Put passionate fans where they want, as close to the 50 as possible, either at the bottom or about half way up if they prefer.

Here is a picture I took immediately AFTER the Senior Day dedication on the field. This was approximately 6 minutes to kickoff as the National Anthem was about to be played. I think the picture speaks for itself and should end this nonsensical arguement from the students that they are in attendance but just pushed down real low

Thanks for taking the that pic. this makes me so mad. its embarassing, what do people think when they see empty seats on tv? im always in the stands so i dont see the TV coverage, but i'm sure people are thinking "why cant Michigan fill thier stadium?" there is a long list of people waiting for season tickets, lets give these empty seats to them!

I was sure to be there early, but as usual most of my fellow students did not. We had probably 25% attendence when the seniors were being honored. I'm not sure why it's such a big issue now, I swear I don't remember it being a problem even 3 or 4 years ago.

People do realize that right? LIke the majority of the students were standing sideways. All i am saying is that shrinking the student section is not the right answer. Think about it, if we shrink it, it will still proportionally be the same amount of people coming. So that section will be 3/4 full theoretically

I am saying that we need a better way to determine how to get people there. I like the idea of giving away tickets and having seat order set through who comes and when. Also don't give me crap about "regular fans" being real. We got regular tickets for $10 this morning. Is this real devotion and how are those crappy seats behind the students going to be full?

Also really, we need to complain about this after every game. Especially this one? We just went undefeated for the second straight year at home. Chill.

yes but when people complain Bradon will notice. See band travel to Bama game.

If this contiues I see Brandon shrinking the student section which would be a shame since all students should have an opportunity to purchase tickets. But this is Michigan fergodsakes and empty seats don't pass muster.

I absolutely think the student section should be general admission. Want good seats show up early. Kind of annoying to see kids who don't care kicking the people who do out of seats when they show up drunk at halftime.

We basically have that system right now. Nobody actually sits in their seats. The big issue is that there is nothing stopping someone from arriving in the 2nd quarter and moving way up. It happens consistently is extremely annoying because seats that were virtually empty 10 minutes before kickoff become so packed you need to stand partially sideways to fit. No matter what you do, the upper part of the student section will never be filled, and that makes the section look a lot emptier than it actually is.

If these students don't really want to attend (boggles the mind; after all, it's only the biggest stadium in the country featuring the winningest college football team of all time), then they should be allowed to donate their tickets for kids in C.S. Mott Hospital to use. Those ill children would get the thrill of their lives, and they'd appreciate it. For some of the students, football, and all of the tradition that is Michigan, just isn't worth it. Again, I can't relate to these kids in any way, shape, or form. I've only had the pleasure to attend two games at Michigan Stadium, the unveiling of the halo in a loss to Donovan McNabb and Syracuse in '98, and the '99 game against Ohio when my wife was pregnant in '99. i felt honored to be at both, and witnessing "The Game" in person is something that any fan -- Michigan fan or not -- should experience once in their life.

OK, I'm going to sound like an Old Blue here, but how is it more appealing to recover from a hangover than to experience the greatest collegiate sports tradition in the history of mankind? In honor of Thanksgiving I'd suggest these kids try to appreciate this tradition and all that it stands for. People of all races, creeds, backgrounds, religious beliefs or lack thereof, all supporting a glorious academic institution that does college football the right way, while wearing the greatest uniforms, greatest helmets, singing the greatest fight song in the greatest stadium. It doesn't matter what culture you're from, where you grew up, whether you have money, or anything. That, without question, is a tradition for the ages. That is worth appreciating.

We're not late because we're hungover, we're late because we're drunk.

In general, I am sick of this talk of of shrinking the student section for "real fans." I do not care if you equate yourself a better fan than the drunkest, most disinterested, latest Michigan student. These games are ours. This is our school. While the support of non-students and non-alums is clearly important and appreciated, it should not and cannot outweigh the interests of the students. Yes, we (that is, the student body as a whole) needs to get better at getting there at time. The attendance at kick is certianly a problem. But to say that others should have priority over us to purchase tickets is appauling.

While it is disappointing to see empty seats abundant in the student section, I have to agree with you that the opportunity to purchase tickets should always be there for students that want them. It is your time as a student and you should have the opportunity to attend all athletic events. With that said, please tell the other students that we (alums/current students) should never run on the field after beating Sparty. That was embarrassing as hell. Giving our little brother a beat down is nothing to go around celebrating. It is a time of relief so that we don't have to listen to him shoot his mouth off for another year.

Maybe the University shouldn't charge Pro prices for a college football game. It costs more to go to a UofM with a family of 4 than a Lions game. How can you charge $70 for UMASS? But you expect the students to donate or sell their tickets? Iowa and Northwestern aren't the Packers or Bears. DB should schedule better games if you want the students there earlier.

It simple: the students deserve to be given first crack at those seats - it is their university, after all, and their peers on the field. However, the students that don't show up are making it clear that going to games is not a priority; therefore, something must be done to get the tickets into the hands of those who want them.

This. The athletic department/university has decided to provide students with tickets at a subsidized price. If students only wish to attend marquee games that is there perogative in my opinion(which could certainly be disagreed with). However, anyone who wanted student tickets to the Northwestern or Iowa game could have easily purchased them off of students for around 20 dollars, therefore people who wanted to go to the game could have purchased them for 20 dollars plus whatever the authorization stamp/sticker thing costs. If the cost of the stamp(both in cost and convenience) is too high, maybe the AD should suspend necessitating the stamps for non-marquee games and make student tickets more fungible. I think people are overplaying the amount of general(non-student) interest in the last two games(especially the Northwestern game, as many people literally couldn't give away tickets to that game).

What's all this "being reasonable" you're doing? It has no place here!

And while I'm at it, I'll ask the following question again: Shall we punish people who leave early, too? I mean , all those empty seats! If they cared they would stay till the last second!

What about suite holders who don't show up until the last minute? A shame. Obviously they don't care. Let's reduce the number of suite... oh... hmmm.

What end of the stadium did Kovacs select during the Northwestern overtime coin toss? That's right, the one with the youngsters who'll be all loud and crazy. Not the other side. Even though it wasn't full enough for some of you.

I'm really tired of this non-issue being posted every week. College students are going to college student. If you reduce the number of tickets for students, you'll still have kids decide they need to study, need to work, have some other extracurricular responsibility or are too hungover to show up on time. It will change nothing.

Shouldn't school be a priority over football for both students and student athletes? Going to games is a priority for a lot of people. However are you going to tell the professors to cancel the monday morning exams? Or is DB going to do that?

The student section hasn't been full all season. The solution is simple. Reduce the student ticket allotment next season. Increase the number of tickets available for season ticket holders (there is a wait list) and the general public. This isn't about who stands up during games. It's about putting asses in the seats. Students who would rather spend the whole day drinking / tailgating, studying, or who don't care about the games at all don't deserve to be criticized, but they shouldn't have tickets.

so this doesn't need to be talked about and it is dissapointing but the 80% full student section is still the loudest part of the stadium. There is no reason that 40 year olds can't yell as loud as 20 year olds, yelling has nothing to do with age until you are like 75. A lot of this fanbase is sad, go to a none big time basketball game and see a pathetic turnout by the alumni, stop with these stupid threads.

Today was my first time sitting around the 50ish... section 22... and it was the quietest section I've ever sat in. Most people were middle aged... some w/kids. Very little passion in the fans at all... casual watching at best... not ravenous fans. I expected more out of those who had the "best" seats.

It's funny when i was at Mich which wasn't all that long ago they didn't have enough student tickets. Some freshmen only got partial game plans. Maybe too it was b/c we could sell our tickets that the student section was always filled.

der weesa plenty of kids from out of stata whena mesa a student. missa don t recall da student section be less than full from da mid-90s toda mid-00s except for whena a game occurr around rosh hashanah or fall break

Perhaps the student section should be general admission/unassigned seats, and for tickets not scanned before kickoff somebody off the street can fill into the back of the student section and students risk their ticket not being valid. That even sounds somewhat draconian to me, but there are more than enough people who would gladly get on a "alternative" list if those seats are available.

What if student tickets were will call? After the kickoff they are open for purchase without validation needed. You could pay a higher fee to avoid will call and it is refunded if you meet attendence requirements.

It filled up fine. No, it wasn't full at 11:30 when the seniors had their moment. Not everyone cares enough to show up that early - fact of life. But it filled up faster than I've seen since the season opener. Also a fact. And as someone else pointed out, it's still the loudest part of the stadium. So please stop complaining.

Don't remember this problem in the 70's and 80's, Brandon is quite concerned about brand and image, and seeing all those empty seats on HD on ESPN is really what I noticed with every shot of the North endzone.

While students were late to the game you can't guess the number of students at the game just by looking. The top rows are always spaced out which doesn't mean that those students didn't show up, just that they snuck down to another spot. Adding to this issue is that the top rows are freshman who move around to find the friends they've made (hopefully) this semester. This is the 2nd game in a row where I've had to stand sideways in my seats because it was so packed and people were even in the aisles this game. A good number of students probably didn't show up but I don't think it's as bad as people make it seem and partially that students pack themselves tighter together than the other sections (I've been in those sections and wow they're far more comfortable).

i sat in the 56 or 57th row as a sophomore in 08.
There were still ppl squeezing in from the top rows...
They also moved some of the students behind the endzone.

i think the question is since they expanded the student section (i think twice, once in 07 and also once sometime after that), did they actually sell out the allotment?

There could be bad planning where they moved the expanded number of students for a couple of years to section 33 and onwards towards the endzone. Then as demand goes back down the size of the sections stay the same. hence the empty seats.

Exactly. I graduated in '05, and I never had great seats like row 67 at best. Non-conference, maybe, maybe, the top rows were thin and/or sparse. All BIG games or literally big games were packed and spilling over into the aisle. You can make excuses till you are blue in the face, but this generation is a disgrace. You better cure cancer and hiv assholes!!

strange... you say it was packed? I thought the opposite. I saw a dozen or so empty seats within a row or two or three around me... section 22.... 20 rows(ish) up. We had tons of space today and while I agree that the student section was pathetically empty, I attributed the extra space I had (and all the extra seats in the student section) to Michigan playing Iowa. I thought perhaps there just wasn't the interest. (Even though attendance was 113,xxx)

This is almost as good as the weekly live blog meltdown that always happens. For me, this falls under the "I'm not going to let anyone else ruin my experience" category.

Do your thing and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. If another fan is early, late, stands, sits, whatever, I still have a great experience. I am not spendng any emotional energy on the other fans and what they choose to do.

What I don't understand is why the students that come here keep defending their peers so much. The section isn't full. It's a fact. Students always pack down and always have. When everyone shows up that section still looks full. If you are a student that comes to games shouldn't you be in favor of general admission? I used to hate coming to games nearly an hour early only to watch a bunch of empty seats in front of me slowly fill up.

why not oversell the student section??? How many seats are there in the student section? 5,000? Sell the tickets to the students, then oversell 1500 general seating seats specifically for the student section.

I was in the student section and i was sure there are more people today than last saturday but still a little dissappointing. I think decreasing the student section by couple thousand would be perfect.

I've tried defending my fellow students before, but it's becoming too hard. We really should change it to general admission. I show up at least a half hour early, but I'm much more of a die hard fan than most students. I'd love to get rewarded for it. The only reward they give for showing up early is 3 extra HAIL points (did they really think that would work?). Change it to general admission and let the kids who show up early get the better seats. It gets people to the basketball games early. See if it works for football.

This what I was thinking the entire game. I was really hoping there would be a thread about this, but anyways, that was in no way an acceptable way to honor the seniors who have worked so hard through adversity. At least three thousand of those tickets need to be allocated elsewhere. I don't care if it is a noon game and it's a noon game, either the students need to show up, or the tickets need to go to fans who will be there and cheering on the maize and blue. Unacceptable. Otherwise, I was really pleased with the outcome and the way the seniors did in fact play today. Go Blue and beat Ohio.

but please stop making threads about attendance after every home game and calling out all of the students. It is only a portion that suck and I am tired of being associated with them. I live on North Campus, bike down to central at 7 am, get my drink on, then I am in my seat an hour before kickoff. Continuing to bitch about it on the blog doesn't solve the problem and making this thread just upsets everyone. We know it's an issue. just stop it...

I've been thinking about this for a while now, and there is definitely a problem that has developed over the last two years or so. I graduated last year, but for a few years now, I have noticed more and more students simply feeling apathetic towards football in general. Some people always showed up, and more are now than ever.
Additionally, the ushers are no longer checking tickets to force the freshmen with tickets in row 90 to go up to their seats add they used to (yes, it's not hard to get around but it was the only obstacle preventing those students from just walking into the lower bowl).
People not showing up at all is a whole other problem, but forcing people to at least go up to their seats first would make it look more full.

...you show up on time and I'll stand up and participate in your "wave".

What I don't appreciate is hearing the students boo when their precious little wave fails to make it past the student section at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Don't boo me for not taking part in the wave if you can't make it to your seats before half time. Deal?

I'm not exactly sure what people are trying to do by posting about this on the board. You're preaching to the choir here. It's not like Dave Brandon or anyone who matters in the athletic department is going to read this topic and change it.

I'd agree that it's kind of a problem but I feel like we should stick to talking about football rather than attendance.

I have defended the students before, but I won't here. I agree that more should have shown up today for the senior day activities. Here are some more potential solutions that are not kneejerk reactions like taking seats away from students:

As I said before, make the pregame more exciting. I don't know what exactly to do, but the students are obviously not impressed by the same thing. Do something special, and get the word out about it. I expect Charles Woodson back next year to make a #2 legends patch, so that might be a good way to start.

The students, especially the younger ones, need to make arriving on time (early) a habit. General Admission might do this over time, but I'm not sure if the university is totally comfortable with creating a Paternoville kind of camp out situation. Also, it can get messy as even more people try to squeeze close (even dangerous--lots of potential for a crush). And the top rows will still probably look empty.

But the AD should really engage the students directly. Talk to the frat councils and encourage them to turn off the music and kick everyone out an hour before kickoff. Give away pizza at the student gates. Try anything and everything.

I have some more, but I'll save it for the next time we have this discussion.

I sat in the opposite end zone and my group watched the student section all game. It never came close to getting filled.

Also, as a side note, I wish to personally flay the idiot responsible for pom-pom day. The behemoth in front of me (hope he paid for 2 or 3 tickets!) could not rise out of his seat. But, he certainly could fling his pom-poms backwards with enviable vigor. The six-year old next to me got the bright idea to tie two together to create a pom-pom baton that he twirled for 3 joy-filled hours. By the end of the second quarter, I was praying for "Glock at the half"

I'm sorry but the students have earned the right to do what they want. As a recent graduate who went to every game, if some students want to study, get drunk, or watch a better game on TV that is their decision. You may disagree but going to THE SCHOOL gives you a right to go YOUR SCHOOL'S games. The tickets are already paid for so UofM is still making the money.

I propose a system that is similar to Penn State and Wisconsin where all upperclassmen are garunteed tickets and then there is a lottery for freshman and sophmores. This would screw over a lot of deserving fans and the kids who go to Dearborn and Flint.